Elonwabeni Child & Family Centre was established in November 2006 by Denise and Rolf Landes, along with a group of friends from Germany.
Together, they started a partnership with the KinderAIDShilfe SA Foundation to support young children and young adults in the foster care system.
In the beginning, the primary objective was to support children who were abandoned or orphaned due to HIV / AIDS by building a child and family centre in Mitchells Plain.
Since then, Elonwabeni has developed four centres in Mitchells Plain and two homes in Hermanus.
Elonwabeni Child and Family Centre is passionate about achieving its mission.
Elonwabeni is a Xhosa word meaning "Place of Happiness." This name reflects the organisation’s ultimate goal: to protect, nurture, and develop each person whose life they enrich into a happy and active leader within the community.
Elonwabeni Child and Family Centre plays a pivotal role in:
Elonwabeni’s board and staff approach their work as a calling rather than a job.
Faith underpins their work, with dedication to service while trusting in God’s guidance. The centre is committed to excellence in serving both the child and their family, ensuring care that is holistic, compassionate, and impactful.
Elonwabeni Child & Family Centre is a safe, nurturing environment where children and young families can thrive.
Through residential care, family-strengthening initiatives, psychosocial support, and skills development programmes, the centre works to empower children, support families, and build resilient communities.
Every programme is designed to foster growth, belonging, and opportunity, ensuring that every child has the chance to reach their full potential.
Elonwabeni is registered as a Cluster Foster Care Scheme. It consists of five homes, each functioning as a family unit with five to seven children.
Every home is led by a House Mother, ensuring a nurturing and stable environment for the children.
Elonwabeni recognises that no child exists in isolation.
The centre works closely with parents and family members to ensure that each child maintains a sense of belonging to a family or community beyond Elonwabeni.
Systemic Therapy forms the foundation of Elonwabeni’s teaching approach. This method emphasises the relationship between child and parent, and highlights the entanglements that exist within family systems.
The approach guides its work with children and informs staff training, ensuring consistent, supportive care.
The Health Centre supports the overall well-being of both staff and children and is managed by a registered nurse.
A programme supporting young and teen mothers, providing guidance, resources, and care.
Since 2009, young women from surrounding communities have been producing exquisite wire handicrafts.
Their products are exported to Germany annually, showcasing both skill and creativity.
The Miriam Foster Care Project provides safe, loving homes for children who cannot live with their parents or relatives. The project works closely with foster families to ensure every child experiences care, stability, and support.
Services Offered:
Foster care provides temporary, safe accommodation for children whose parents or relatives are unable to care for them.
The Elonwabeni Foster Care Team works to reunite children with their families wherever possible. When reunification is not feasible, foster families in the community provide stable, long-term care.
Elonwabeni is committed to ensuring that every child experiences a healthy family life. Research shows children in foster care thrive best in family environments rather than institutional settings. The project aims to match each child with a supportive family, helping protect vulnerable children and give them the chance to grow in a nurturing home.
The Miriam Foster Care Project seeks compassionate families willing to open their hearts and homes, giving children the security and love they deserve. Every child has a family waiting - help provide a safe, nurturing home today.
The Young Mothers Initiative (YMI) empowers teenage mothers with the guidance, skills, and support they need to care for their babies and build strong, healthy families.
By providing early intervention, YMI helps reduce the risk of neglect or abandonment and gives young mothers the tools to navigate parenthood with confidence.
What YMI Offers:
Ages: 16 to 21 years old
Ages: 16 to 21 years old
Elonwabeni Child & Family Centre gratefully welcomes all donations, whether monetary or in-kind.
Remember, no contribution is too small, and every cent makes a difference.
Your generosity helps provide care, support, and opportunities for the children and families we serve.
Food & Household:
Clothing & Baby Essentials:
Education & Office Supplies:
Gifts & Celebrations:
Outdoor & Infrastructure:
Bank Details
Thank you for making a meaningful impact.
Elonwabeni Child and Family Centre offer different workshops and programmes to empower previously disadvantage...
